Motorcycles

Motorcycles, The look of motorcycling is largely defined by the leather – the most cringe-worthy designs that are long on the protection and short on style, especially for women. Indeed, “the fashion of the motorcycle” is a kind of oxymoron. There are bikes, and not a fad, but rarely meet them.

Scooter? That’s another story. Rooted in European design, the small number of designers dedicated to bringing scooter do a much better job of form and function of compensation, the fusion of materials worthy of shock in styles that allow riders to step from their trips and a restaurant without appearing to have been in a race.

“If you’re on a scooter, how ridiculous it is to be with a leather jacket in the style of racing? If the bicycle over 35 miles per hour, it feels like a kind of fraud,” said April Whitney, editor Scoot journal in San Jose, California “Scooter is a statement of personality, but also have to adapt to the life of the pilots.”

Those lives are typically urban professionals – experienced by people who value fun, fuel efficiency and style of the two wheels, minus the macho stance of a motorcycle. No wonder scooters are especially popular among women, who are drawn to the bikes “no muss, smooth automatic transmissions, step through, instead of turn-by-leg-over, the designs that allow and sophisticated dress instead of gear heads. Considering that 12 percent of motorcyclists are women, 41 percent of scooterists are women, according to the Council, based in Irvine Motorcycle Industry.

And women demand more from your computer.

“I do not fall within the scope dead on anything in the market,” said Arlene Battishill, a motorcyclist who spent several years riding without protective gear instead of using what was available on his trip to a corporate job in real estate.

Now the 50-year-old Angeleno has its own line, GoGo Gear, a collection of six jackets that includes all abrasion resistant fabrics and armor of the traditional arts of riding, but still looks feminine. Was launched this spring and is sold online and in stores motorbikes. Battishill says he was inspired by the classic lines of Coco Chanel. Companies such as women’s clothing in even numbers, GoGo Gear designs follow the outlines of military coats and jackets. Also put the brand name it belongs – inside the shield, instead of printing the entire exterior, which is the unfortunate norm for most two-wheel gear. This fall, Battishill expanded its line of pants using a moniker unlikely to come here, for clothing, Kevlar reinforced, “last date night” jeans.

Battishill anticipated sales of 250,000 and this year (and part of the $ 1.81 million annual market for U.S. apparel for scooters and motorcycles). But she has just opened its doors and expects his business to grow – over time. Sales are slower this year because they are responsible for scooters and scooter manufacturers mom and dad clothes.

“The market is difficult, but what we have been able to achieve in terms of our products sold and market share is pretty good,” Bradford said Duval, founder of Portland Corazzo line of scooter clothing, including shirts, sweaters and jackets and is priced at $ 359 and 22. Sold in over 250 stores in four continents, as well as on the website Corazzo (www.corazzo.net). annual turnover is at least seven figures worldwide.

Duval is a former boutique owner of Vespa that never received a single phone call from anyone who makes art for customers to assemble your scooter. Thus, in 2003, Duval Corazzo launched a line that relies heavily on the styles of the 50, 60 and 70, because “many people are so bad on the motorcycles,” he said. “It’s a sad state of affairs. If there is more riding clothing style has to come from the world of scooters, so be it.

“In our opinion, most of the lines of style that will look good in 100 years have already been created, so what you do is take the concepts of classical style, add some modern materials, armor and opaque create a garment that seems not only had a BMW motorcycle, he said.

Duval has sold thousands of his stripes “5.0″ jackets – one of his first designs – and are expected to sell more, no doubt, the addition of the swarms of scooter riders to appear at rallies and use.

“That tells you there are not many options out there,” Whitney said Scoot.

But some, like the mark “Quadrophenia” United Kingdom of inspiration, Armadillo, which has recently expanded its supply of heavy coats, armor that inspired the name of the line to include hooded jackets and Kevlar reinforced pieces filled lighter sanity.

“The scooter is more European look and professional. There are no chapters and articles of leather and tattoos,” said Joel Martin, who is based in Miami and has been importing the brand Armadillo since January, their sale in stores and Bikes line. Prices start from and 150 and 399. “People are interested in what they wear.”